章 11: It's done (1)

Shelby took an instinctive step back and crossed both arms over her chest.

'What does she mean to strip me…'

But little did she know that Geneva meant the statement in its literal sense. Before she could think of her next actions. The two maids in the room stepped on either side of her and rid her of all her clothes. The first one held her as the other unzipped her dress at the back and let the dress fall to her feet. Then they 'helped' her out of the little shorts she had on underneath.

The tears she had used all her willpower to curb pricked out again. She felt so humiliated. 'What did I do to deserve this?'

As one moved to unhook her bra, the other went for her panties, and Shelby unconsciously screamed in her head, 'Oh no!'

Her reaction was evident, though.

"It's okay; leave those on for the moment," Geneva said nonchalantly, and the two stepped aside from the visibly trembling Shelby.

Geneva stood up again and approached Shelby, her eyes scanning the younger woman as if they had lasers. She occasionally touched her here and there, but nothing too intimate. In fact, it was like she was examining newly brought goods for any defects. Shelby gritted her teeth and tried hard to suppress the tears that Geneva and the others in the room conveniently ignored.

"The figure is not bad. Long, slender arms also have their use. A slim waist and wide hips are good. Very ample breasts, neither too big nor too small. Just perfect to serve their purpose!"

Geneva muttered to herself as she did a 360 around Shelby, finally settling back in her seat.

"The scars on your tummy are a little troublesome, but nothing too much. Good that it is only concentrated on one side."

Geneva paused as if in thought, "We can do something about it later."

Shelby's hand unconsciously went to the scar to cover it, and a strange look crossed her eyes. But no one noticed this.

"This 'checkup' to make sure that we got what we were promised," Geneva said, explaining her attitude. She did not need to, but something about the vulnerable-looking girl in front of her made her do so. "I already have your comprehensive medical exam report here…"

"Medical exam?" Shelby whispered!

"Yes, this was the one you did in the past week, so there is no need for me to re-do this."

'Medical exam in the past week? Whe-'

Shelby smiled wryly. A week ago, she had accompanied her mother for a 'routine' comprehensive exam for which her stepfather, James, had conveniently borne all the costs. Then, she had wondered why James was willing to bear such expensive costs on her behalf when he had never done so ever in her life.

'So, this was the reason? I should have known that James always does things with strings attached. Here I was, thinking he had been willing to turn around for me….'

"They say you have a problem with your memory… Is that going to be a problem?"

"No, ma'am, I- I, was found in a park half-dead some years back but have no recollection of that till date. I have undergone several tests, but they can't find anything wrong with me. They refer to it as 'selective amnesia', but it has had no impact on my life till now.

"Are you sure? I have never heard of anything like this before…. Conveniently only remembering what you want? Hmmm…."

"I won't lie about this, Mrs Thornston…."

'This is my chance to ruin this, but why do I find myself trying to make this woman like me?' Shelby asked herself as she rubbed her arms around herself again in an effort to cover her near-nakedness.

"Get her a robe to cover herself and discard this worn-out dress…. No daughter-in-law of mine will be dressed like a beggar."

The maids sprang into action swiftly. One bringing Shelby the softest of bathrobes she had ever held. Her tears threatened to spill again as thankfulness surged within her.

"It's mum, call me mum!"

This time, even Katie raised her eyebrows because Geneva was the hardest to please among the Thornstons, and she never knew that there would be a day when Geneva would accept someone within minutes of meeting them. But Katie could attest that there was something likeable about the drop-dead gorgeous, vulnerable-looking girl in front of them. She had initially thought that there must be something off or not right about a girl who would put herself in the bride catalogue, but now she was not so sure after mere minutes of meeting the girl.

"I'm sorry, m-m-u-um,"

Geneva nodded in agreement and signalled towards the seat adjacent to her, "Sit."

Shelby took several steps and gratefully sank into the seat, securely clutching the robe around her.

"Since you are now part of this family, I need to let you in on a few things as well. As a woman myself, I can understand the challenge ahead of you, but you knew what you were getting into before coming here."

'Did I?' Shelby asked herself, ensuring her face remained devoid of emotions.

"My son, Ian's actions are worthy of respect and admiration. How many women worldwide would not be willing to be cherished as much? I can't count even 5% of those. I can't say with 100% certainty that I can count on my husband, Alex Thornston, like that. I mean, what Ian is doing for that Aliya woman?

The greatest wish of any woman is to have a man hold her in that high of esteem, but there is also a reason why we say… 'till death do us part'! … not that it even applies to them, but what can I say? The dead should stay dead, and the living should continue living. This is the only part my good son could not understand. And that will be one of your tasks! Or hurdles to overcome ...."

Pausing a bit, Geneva looked directly at Shelby and asked, "…Just tell me you know what is expected from you."

Shelby, "…"

"Your father-"

"My step-father -."

"Whatever... your stepfather took so much money from us, and I have to be a teacher to explain what you must do as well?"

Shelby swallowed dryly and rubbed her hands nervously.

"Well, I will not let some unworthy bastards take over our riches and property once we are no more!"

"Unworthy bastards?"

As if not hearing her interruptions, she continued. Geneva was like a woman who was used to having her way and ensured she did.

"You need to give the Thornston family a 'legitimate' heir. That was clearly stipulated in the contract we agreed on," she stated rather calmly as she stirred her tea and took a sip, closing her eyes to savour the taste.

Boom!

"A baby?!"

'Wake up, Shelby! You knew it was a marriage, and this should have been excepted.' But she asked anyway,

"I mean... y-ou, you... want me to sleep with him?"

Katie smiled. Geneva rolled her eyes and replied, "I believe that was how to make a baby; last I checked."

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